The average price for a gallon of regular in Kitsap was
$2.014 per gallon Monday, up just a hair from a week ago when it
was $1.995.

Filling up was still cheaper than a year ago, when the
average price was $2.788.

Nationally, the average price of gas has been under $2 for
most the year, but is now climbing.

AAA noted price swings are typical this time of
year as refineries conduct maintenance. The
association predicts generous supplies of gasoline and low
crude oil cost will keep prices from climbing as high as in
previous years.

At $2.03 per gallon, Washington is one of only four states in
the country where the average price of gas is more than $2.

The state Liquor and Cannabis
Board has approved a Silverdale store called Fillabong, located
at 2839 NW Kitsap Place, just east of the mall. It’s
the first recreational store approved in Central Kitsap, though
there are a few medical dispensaries in the area.

According to a news release, the state could lose federal
funding for drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention and treatment if
the rate exceeds 20 percent.

“It is unacceptable that more than one in six retailers are
illegally selling tobacco to minors,” Secretary of Health John
Wiesman said in the release. “When kids get their hands on tobacco,
it can lead to a lifetime of addiction, poor health, and early
death.”

“Our name has changed,” Executive Director Teresa
Osinski said in the release, “but really, we have always
welcomed non-home builders as part of our membership. Anyone
involved in construction in Kitsap relies on us for support,
advocacy, and community connections. That will never change.”

Poulsbo-based Rockfish
Group designed the Kitsap Building Association logo, pictured
above.

Taxable retail sales in Kitsap County topped $1 billion for
the first time in the third quarter of 2015.

The $1.01 billion in sales reported from July through
September marked a 9 percent increase from the same period of 2014,
according to the
Department of Revenue.

Retail trade sales were also up about 9 percent in the third
quarter, with $524 million reported. Retail trade sales are
sales made by dealerships, stores, online sellers and other
traditional retailers.

These were some third quarter highlights:

Sales by new and used auto dealerships were up
19 percent

Sales of building materials were up 8.6
percent

Sales by general merchandise stores were
up 6 percent

Construction was up 9.25 percent

Wholesale trade was up 11.4 percent

Information was up 10.5 percent

Accommodations and food services up 8.9
percent

Kitsap’s growth in retail trade sales set the pace for
Puget Sound counties in the third quarter:

Centercal has yet to announce tenants for a few remaining
retail spaces, including a
planned grocery store. The developer began work on
The Trails in August 2014.

The opening of Chipotle — the first west of Puget Sound — has
been highly anticipated since it was announced last
summer. But the chain’s reputation took a beating this
winter as a series of E. coli and norovirus
outbreaks were linked to its restaurants.